IRELAND HONORS JOHN KEANE

MARY STAUNTON, Bill Barnes, Maura Barnes and Kay McKenna.

JOHN KEANE (left) listens as U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott speaks at the Seattle Irish Consul's reception. Seated left rear is Jack Geraghty, former Mayor of Spokane.

FATHER JOHN Madigan speaking at the Irish Consul reception while Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, Irish Consul General Gerry Staunton and Mary Staunton laugh at his remarks.

KALA KUNTHARA, Tom Deacon, Maureen Keane and Maggie Deacon.

THE IRISH COMMUNITY in Seattle gathered on September 19 to celebrate the appointment of John Keane as Honorary Consul of Ireland in Seattle. He is shown above (R) with Gerry Staunton (L) , the Consul General of Ireland for the Western United States and Seattle City Councilmember Jan Drago (C).

IRISH CONSUL General Gerry Staunton, Nanci Spieker, Mary Jo Costello and John Costello.

DÓNAL MCKEVITT and John O'Malley at the reception to celebrate John Keane's appointment as Honorary Consul General for Seattle and Washington State.

By VERY REV. JOHN C. MADIGAN From Co. Limerick Pastor, Holy Rosary Church, Seattle

SEATTLE - James Boswell is quoted as saying, "The Irish are a very fair people, they never speak well of each other!"

The Irish community in Seattle gave the lie to that saying on a recent Saturday night at FX McRory's when the Consul General of Ireland from San Francisco, Gerry Staunton, announced that John Keane had been offered the position of Honorary Consul of Ireland at Seattle.

A rousing ovation and cheers from the standing-room-only crowd greeted the announcement.

The attendance included Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott, State Senator Ed Murray, Seattle City Councilor Jan Drago, former Police Chief Patrick Fitzsimons, members of the Sister city committees from both Seattle-Galway and Spokane-Limerick, including former Spokane Mayor Jack Geraghty, as well as a cross section of Seattle's Irish community, both native-born as well as second and third generation Irish people.

It was a very proud moment for the Irish community in Seattle to have John Keane receive this honor as all present recognized him as a man whom the official letter of announcement from the Foreign Affairs department of the Irish Government aptly described as "a worthy official representative of Ireland as Honorary Consul".

The announcement was followed by tributes from among those gathered who glowingly recalled the many and varied ways John has served the Irish community in Seattle, which includes welcoming Irish newcomers and going out at all hours, day or night, to find and minister to those Irish who have fallen on hard times and even those who have ended up in prison.

Mary Shriane, who along with her husband Frank, ranks among the longest serving members of Seattle's Irish community, recalls "thanking God" at the arrival of John Keane in Seattle in 1978.

She remembers how quickly he got involved bringing his organizational abilities along with his untiring energies and ability to encourage and persuade others to be involved.

However, it was not only an issue of "all work and no play" as John's exploits on the Gaelic Football field were both regaled and exposed by Johnny O'Malley, whose late father Mike worked very closely with John.

Johnny described Keane's defense and tackling as being like that of an octopus out of whose clutches you couldn't escape for any kind of clear shot at goal! Good natured humor was interspersed with heartfelt tributes as various speakers were called forward by Mick McHugh.

The official letter dated July 20, 2009, sent on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mícheál Martin, T.D., and read by Consul General Staunton, stated that the Minister "is confident that your Irish background, standing and qualifications, contacts in Government and business circles and your knowledge of the Irish community in Seattle and the State of Washington equip you well for this role."

The tributes, the acknowledgements of tireless work, the obvious regard in which John is held by the Irish in Seattle, was very clear evidence that the selection was unanimous in the minds and hearts of all who were obviously thrilled to be present.

John Keane first emigrated to the U.S. in 1967 and following 28 years working for the Bell Telephone System in Detroit and Seattle, retired from US West, now Quest in 1999.

He retired to go full time with his real vocation, serving the Irish here and throughout the U.S. in a variety of roles of leadership and representation.

He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Matt Talbot Center, a program serving the homeless in Seattle and he has been very involved in the local Catholic Church both at his parish of St. Thomas Moore Lynnwood and as a member of the Serra club promoting vocations to the priesthood.

He writes a monthly column on Seattle's Irish activities for The Celtic Connection newspaper and publishes a monthly e-mail newsletter for over 4,000 members of Seattle's Irish community.

John has been married for 35 years to Maureen, an author and nutritionist, and they have a son Mícheál who works on the national political scene as a political consultant.

The Minister's letter concluded by stating that "you would assist our Embassy in Washington DC and our Consulate General in San Francisco in promoting contacts between the two countries, facilitating business and official visitors from Ireland, supplying information on Ireland and in providing consular services to Irish citizens resident in or visiting the area for which you would have jurisdiction."

One could be forgiven for thinking from this description that this sounds like a highly lucrative position! Not so. This is a non-salaried and non-pensionable position which sounds like what John has been doing for most of his life in the Irish community.

This role does not even offer diplomatic immunity so John will have to continue to carefully follow the rules of the road as he drives from meeting to meeting, as well as following the laws of the country!

In his response to the gathered crowd that evening, John, while expressing his gratitude and appreciation for such an honor, quickly gave due honor to the many Irish who have preceded him here and who laid the foundations upon which he has been building.

He saw it as an honor to all in Seattle who have contributed in many ways to a strong Irish community. John has published a book on this community called Irish Seattle and on this night in Seattle the Irish community added its own chapter in proudly celebrating this recognition of John's work.

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